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Question of the Day: How do you normally pay for purchases in stores?
Why you should buy an electric car in South Africa
- Thread starter Bradley Prior
- Start date
FiestaST
Honorary Master
South Africa’s EV market rockets as Europe maintains global dominance
Europe has strengthened its position as the world's fastest-growing major electric vehicle market, with new figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA) showing EV sales increased by more than 30% across the continent in 2025.
The IEA's latest Global EV Outlook report found that electric vehicles accounted for 28% of all new vehicle sales in Europe last year, meaning almost one in every three new vehicles sold was fully electric.
The agency expects this momentum to continue throughout 2026, forecasting a further 20% increase in EV sales across the European Union.
Early signs suggest the market remains on track, with electric vehicle sales during the first quarter of 2026 already up by 30% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Regulations driving sales
According to the IEA, stricter European Union CO2 regulations remain one of the primary drivers behind the shift, encouraging manufacturers to introduce more affordable electric models and adjust pricing strategies to meet emissions targets.
Despite proposed regulatory changes that could temper some longer-term ambitions, the agency still expects EVs to account for more than 90% of vehicle sales in Europe by 2035.
Sales surge in South Africa
While Europe continues to lead the charge, South Africa is experiencing its own electric vehicle surge, albeit from a much smaller base.
Data from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) shows that 544 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold locally during the first quarter of 2026, more than double the volume recorded during the same period last year.
March set a new monthly record with 389 electric vehicles sold, and April surpassed that with 403 units. Combined, at least 947 fully electric vehicles were sold through official Naamsa reporting channels during the first four months of the year.
Much of the recent growth has been driven by the arrival of more affordable Chinese electric vehicles.
BYD's inclusion in Naamsa reporting figures has highlighted the scale of demand for lower-priced EVs.
The company's Dolphin Surf, priced from R341,900, emerged as South Africa's top-selling electric vehicle in April, recording 302 sales.
Geely then raised the stakes with the launch of the E2 Aspire, priced from R339,900, which is now the most affordable electric vehicle in South Africa.
Europe has strengthened its position as the world's fastest-growing major electric vehicle market, with new figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA) showing EV sales increased by more than 30% across the continent in 2025.
The IEA's latest Global EV Outlook report found that electric vehicles accounted for 28% of all new vehicle sales in Europe last year, meaning almost one in every three new vehicles sold was fully electric.
The agency expects this momentum to continue throughout 2026, forecasting a further 20% increase in EV sales across the European Union.
Early signs suggest the market remains on track, with electric vehicle sales during the first quarter of 2026 already up by 30% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Regulations driving sales
According to the IEA, stricter European Union CO2 regulations remain one of the primary drivers behind the shift, encouraging manufacturers to introduce more affordable electric models and adjust pricing strategies to meet emissions targets.
Despite proposed regulatory changes that could temper some longer-term ambitions, the agency still expects EVs to account for more than 90% of vehicle sales in Europe by 2035.
Sales surge in South Africa
While Europe continues to lead the charge, South Africa is experiencing its own electric vehicle surge, albeit from a much smaller base.
Data from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) shows that 544 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold locally during the first quarter of 2026, more than double the volume recorded during the same period last year.
March set a new monthly record with 389 electric vehicles sold, and April surpassed that with 403 units. Combined, at least 947 fully electric vehicles were sold through official Naamsa reporting channels during the first four months of the year.
Much of the recent growth has been driven by the arrival of more affordable Chinese electric vehicles.
BYD's inclusion in Naamsa reporting figures has highlighted the scale of demand for lower-priced EVs.
The company's Dolphin Surf, priced from R341,900, emerged as South Africa's top-selling electric vehicle in April, recording 302 sales.
Geely then raised the stakes with the launch of the E2 Aspire, priced from R339,900, which is now the most affordable electric vehicle in South Africa.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
EV sales surge in SA in Q1 2026
Local sales of fully electric vehicles surged by 97.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) market is showing strong signs of growth, with the latest quarterly sales figures released by naamsa, the Automotive Business Council of South Africa, showing that local EV sales nearly doubled in the first quarter of 2026; signalling increased consumer interest in electric mobility despite perceived barriers surrounding market adoption.
In the first three months of 2026, naamsa reported a total number of 544 EVs were sold in SA; a 268-unit increase compared to the 276 EVs sold in Q1 2025. The former figure represents a 97.1% increase in EV sales compared to the same period last year.
“The near doubling of fully electric-vehicle sales shows that South Africans are responding to economic realities. Consumers are seeing how volatile petrol and diesel prices have become, while electricity costs remain comparatively predictable. Combined with over a year of electricity stability and growing public charging infrastructure, the market is beginning to understand that EVs make the most financial sense,” said Hiten Parmar, Executive Director of Electric Mission.
Electric Mission attributes the growth in EV adoption to rising fuel prices, ongoing volatility in global energy markets, and improved electricity supply stability.
www.carmag.co.za
Local sales of fully electric vehicles surged by 97.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) market is showing strong signs of growth, with the latest quarterly sales figures released by naamsa, the Automotive Business Council of South Africa, showing that local EV sales nearly doubled in the first quarter of 2026; signalling increased consumer interest in electric mobility despite perceived barriers surrounding market adoption.
In the first three months of 2026, naamsa reported a total number of 544 EVs were sold in SA; a 268-unit increase compared to the 276 EVs sold in Q1 2025. The former figure represents a 97.1% increase in EV sales compared to the same period last year.
“The near doubling of fully electric-vehicle sales shows that South Africans are responding to economic realities. Consumers are seeing how volatile petrol and diesel prices have become, while electricity costs remain comparatively predictable. Combined with over a year of electricity stability and growing public charging infrastructure, the market is beginning to understand that EVs make the most financial sense,” said Hiten Parmar, Executive Director of Electric Mission.
Electric Mission attributes the growth in EV adoption to rising fuel prices, ongoing volatility in global energy markets, and improved electricity supply stability.
EV sales surge in SA in Q1 2026
Local sales of fully electric vehicles surged by 97.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year...
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
The EV Tax Debate: Why do imported NEV vehicles cost so much? - Automotive News
Many consumers ask why cheaper Chinese cars end up costing so much locally. We conducted in-depth market research to understand why high import duties on New Energy Vehicles are stalling South Africa's mass-market transition.
www.autotrader.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
PHEV market drives SA’s strong NEV growth in H1 2026
PHEV sales in South Africa surged some 486% year on year in H1 2026, driving growth in the country’s overall new-energy vehicle (NEV) market. Here are all the details…
- NEV total up 84.2% year on year in H1 2026
- Sales in SA’s PHEV segment rocket 486.7%
- EV registrations grow 232.8%; HEVs up 15%
Industry-representative body Naamsa has released official sales figures for new-energy vehicles (NEVs) – a segment comprising traditional hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and fully electric vehicles (EVs) – in South Africa for the 2nd quarter of the year. And these numbers allow us to calculate total NEV sales for H1 2026.
Based on Naamsa’s latest quarterly figures (combined with its Q1 numbers), our calculations suggest total NEV sales in Mzansi in H1 2026 increased 84.2% year on year to 13 196 units. For the record, this NEV total translates to some 4.2% of South Africa’s overall new-vehicle market (at 315 303 units) for the opening half of the year.
It’s worth keeping in mind the local market’s latest NEV sales performance was strongly supported – as Naamsa points out – by “new entrants starting to report new-vehicle sales data” (as well as a “broader range of product offerings” in this space). For instance, NEV automaker BYD began reporting sales figures to the industry-representative body in March 2026 and has averaged 740 sales a month since.
According to our calculations, PHEV sales in South Africa rocketed 486.7% year on year to 4 623 units in H1 2026 (admittedly off a fairly low base), meaning this segment accounted for 35.0% of total NEV sales during the reporting period. Meanwhile, EV sales for the opening half of 2026 surged 232.8% year on year to 1 897 units (or 14.4% of the NEV total).
PHEV sales in South Africa surged some 486% year on year in H1 2026, driving growth in the country’s overall new-energy vehicle (NEV) market. Here are all the details…
- NEV total up 84.2% year on year in H1 2026
- Sales in SA’s PHEV segment rocket 486.7%
- EV registrations grow 232.8%; HEVs up 15%
Industry-representative body Naamsa has released official sales figures for new-energy vehicles (NEVs) – a segment comprising traditional hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and fully electric vehicles (EVs) – in South Africa for the 2nd quarter of the year. And these numbers allow us to calculate total NEV sales for H1 2026.
Based on Naamsa’s latest quarterly figures (combined with its Q1 numbers), our calculations suggest total NEV sales in Mzansi in H1 2026 increased 84.2% year on year to 13 196 units. For the record, this NEV total translates to some 4.2% of South Africa’s overall new-vehicle market (at 315 303 units) for the opening half of the year.
It’s worth keeping in mind the local market’s latest NEV sales performance was strongly supported – as Naamsa points out – by “new entrants starting to report new-vehicle sales data” (as well as a “broader range of product offerings” in this space). For instance, NEV automaker BYD began reporting sales figures to the industry-representative body in March 2026 and has averaged 740 sales a month since.
According to our calculations, PHEV sales in South Africa rocketed 486.7% year on year to 4 623 units in H1 2026 (admittedly off a fairly low base), meaning this segment accounted for 35.0% of total NEV sales during the reporting period. Meanwhile, EV sales for the opening half of 2026 surged 232.8% year on year to 1 897 units (or 14.4% of the NEV total).
FiestaST
Honorary Master
5 Most affordable EVs in South Africa in 2026
With the increase in local fuel prices, we’ve rounded up the five most affordable EVs currently available in SA.
If you’re in the market for a value-oriented EV, especially when considering the continued rise in petrol and diesel prices, we have taken a closer look at the most affordable EVs available in South Africa as of August 2026. See the list below…
5. Dayun S5 — from R399 900
4. Chery Q — R349 900
3. Dongfeng Box — from R349 000
2. BYD Dolphin Surf — from R341 900
1. Geely E2 — from R339 900
www.carmag.co.za
With the increase in local fuel prices, we’ve rounded up the five most affordable EVs currently available in SA.
If you’re in the market for a value-oriented EV, especially when considering the continued rise in petrol and diesel prices, we have taken a closer look at the most affordable EVs available in South Africa as of August 2026. See the list below…
5. Dayun S5 — from R399 900
4. Chery Q — R349 900
3. Dongfeng Box — from R349 000
2. BYD Dolphin Surf — from R341 900
1. Geely E2 — from R339 900
5 Most affordable EVs in South Africa in 2026 [Update]
We’ve rounded up the five most affordable passenger EVs you can buy in South Africa in 2025. See the full list below.
www.carmag.co.za
konfab
Honorary Master
Also depends on situation.
So I am in the position where I only need to go to the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the caveat of being 48km from work. So I can charge it on alternative days. As I have just gotten the car, I don't have a stage 2 charger, so I am limited to 3kw for now (and the charger shares the same circuit with the dishwasher and trips, so I cannot have dishwasher and car charging as well)
Nevertheless, I got from about 67% to 97% in that time. I am pretty certain in 2 week's time I could probably charge the car and the house with plenty to give.
Sinbad
Honorary Master
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Battery weighs hundreds of kilos.
My 27kwh powerwall weighs over 220kg.
Little road trip today:
R13...
Honorary Master
That Volvo ES90 does look sweet. One day when I'm big and win the lotto I'll buy that ****.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Paywall:
LETTER | Dear President Ramaphosa, please get into an electric vehicle
LETTER | Dear President Ramaphosa, please get into an electric vehicle
Yoh, how's that cost calculated?
Sinbad
Honorary Master
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Incorrectly, sorry. I hadn't updated my app with my latest rate.
It's actually £2.28... 5.9p per kwh.
Actually it may be less now that they're taking VAT off energy, not sure when that starts.
konfab
Honorary Master
Deep irony using that particular charging station considering it doesn't work.
Absolutely wonderful view, but that charger has been destroyed by the sea spray.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Sinbad
Honorary Master
- Joined
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- Messages
- 89,066
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Is easy to resolve. Tesla do it during high demand periods. Just charge a crazy amount per minute that the car is plugged in and not charging.
phoneJunky
Executive Member
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I had congestion at my local super charger when it was free, the moment the chargers started being charged (with overstay charges) the problem went away.